Arctic guide
Whole-boat charter vs joining a group departure
A whole-boat charter means one group books the entire sailing vessel, its crew and its route. A group departure sells single berths on a boat shared with strangers. Boreal Yachting, operating from Tromsø since 2003, sells whole-boat Arctic charters only, in Northern Norway and Svalbard.
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Side by side
| Whole-boat charter | Group departure | |
|---|---|---|
| What you book | The entire vessel and crew | One berth on a shared vessel |
| Who is on board | Only your group | Six to twelve people who have not met |
| Route | Agreed with your skipper, adjusted daily | Fixed itinerary set by the operator |
| Pace | Set by your group | A compromise between everyone aboard |
| Cost model | One boat price, divided by your group | Per-person price |
| Cost for a solo traveller | High — you carry the whole boat | Lower — you pay one berth |
| Dates | Chosen with the operator, subject to availability | Published departure dates only |
| Sold by Boreal Yachting | Yes | No — through partner operators only |
What is a whole-boat charter?
A whole-boat charter is the exclusive hire of one vessel and its crew for an agreed period. Your group has every cabin, the saloon and the deck. Nobody outside the group joins.
In practice this changes the week more than most people expect. The skipper plans with your group rather than around a fixed itinerary, so a good forecast can be used the day it appears, and a slow morning can stay slow. Boreal Yachting runs every departure this way, on nine Arctic-prepared vessels based in Tromsø.
What is a group departure?
A group departure is a published date on a published route, sold berth by berth. The operator fills the boat with individuals and couples who book separately.
It is the standard model for adventure travel, and it works. The route is set in advance, the price per person is lower for a solo traveller, and you meet people you would not otherwise have met.
How does the cost actually compare?
A whole-boat charter is quoted as one boat price. Divided across eight or ten people it usually lands close to a per-person expedition price; divided across two it does not.
When is a group departure the better choice?
If you are travelling alone or as a couple and want a fixed price and a fixed date, book a group departure. Paying for a whole boat to sail with two people is an expensive way to buy a berth.
If you want to meet other travellers, a shared boat gives you that, and a whole-boat charter cannot.
Boreal Yachting does not sell single berths. If that is what you need, we will say so and point you to a partner operator rather than sell you a charter that does not fit.
Common questions
- Does Boreal Yachting sell single berths?
- No. Boreal Yachting sells whole-boat charters only. Individual berths on Arctic sailing departures are available through partner operators, and we are happy to point enquirers towards them.
- How many people does a whole-boat charter need?
- Our vessels carry six to twelve guests depending on the boat. Groups from around six people tend to find whole-boat pricing comparable to per-person expedition pricing.
- Can a whole-boat charter change route during the week?
- Yes. The skipper decides what is safe, and within that the route is agreed with your group and adjusted daily around weather, ice and what the group wants to do.